Banding means

ABSTRACT

A banding machine having a driven chain encircling a banding station which is adapted to receive articles or packages. Four fingers are pivotally mounted on the corners of the banding station. A clamp on said chain grips the end of the banding tape and pulls the tape around and over the fingers. The fingers are then retracted and slack in the tape is taken up, and the tape is sealed around the article or package. The normal timing cycle is cut in half in production runs since a package may be inserted while the tape is being fed around the fingers.

United States Patent 119i Vascotto et al.

[ Nov. 13, 1973 BANDING MEANS Halm Instrument Co., Inc., Glen Head, N.Y.

Filed: Oct. 14, 1971 Appl. No.: 189,171

Related U.S. Appllcatlon Data Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 80,071, Oct. 12, 1970, Pat. No. 3,665,845.

[73] Assignee:

U.S. Cl 100/4, 100/27, 100/33 PB Int. Cl B65b 13/10 Field of Search 100/4, 26, 27, 28,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1964 Kobylanski et al. l0O/27 UX 3,665,845 5/1972 Lyon 100/27 2,920,553 l/l960 Van Marle... 100/27 2,941,464 6/1960 Cranston 100/28 3,318,230 5/1967 Hilton 100/4 Primary Examinerl-larvey C. Hornsby Assistant Examiner-Philip R Coe Att0rneyJames P. Malone [57] ABSTRACT A banding machine having a driven chain encircling a banding station which is adapted to receive articles or packages. Four fingers are pivotally mounted on the corners of the banding station. A clamp on said chain grips the end of the banding tape and-pulls the tape around and over the fingers. The fingers are then retracted and slack in the tape is taken up, and the tape is sealed around the article or package. The normal timing cycle is cut in half in production runs since a package maybe inserted while the tape is being fed around the fingers. 1

11 Claims, 27 Drawing Figures FIGIC FIGID FlGlE INVENTORS MARIO VASGJ'ITU IXJNALD E. SCHANCK FLDYD 1. LM

Pmmmmm ms 3371.435

SHEET 2 BF 7 i 'HIIO INVENTORS MARIO VASCIJT'IU IXIULD E. SCHANGK FLUID A. LION PATENTEDMW 13 ms 377 1. 435

SHEET 0F 7 7| 54 69a 69 69 l f I 1 MARIO VASCDT'm 1mm E. SCHANCK FLUID A. LEN

INVENTORS I Pmmtnuum um 3771.435

SHEET 5 BF 7 INVENTOIB MARIO VASGITTG IDNALD E. SCHANCK FLOYD A. LYON PAIENIEDunv 13 I915 SHEET 8 BF 7 IwQE mDZm

uwoz 8 mm OE mmwozl N INVENTORS n MBRIU 715mm WALD E. SMCK FLOYD A. LYON ZwOI Gum. mmai.

BANDING: MEANS This application is aContinuation in Part of Ser. No. 80,071, filed, Oct'. 12, I970, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,665,845.

This invention. relates to banding means and; more particularly, to means for wrapping or sealing. a tape around an article or package.

The invention particularly relates to means for feeding a bandaround an article'at the same time the article is being inserted in the banding station.

In conventional banding machines, the article or package is first inserted in the banding station and'thena the machine is energized to draw the band around the article or package.

In. the present invention, the band is fed around four retractable fingers which are mounted on the frame of the banding station so that an article or stack of envelopes or sheets may be inserted in. the banding station while the tape is being fed around the fingers. As soon as the band. is completely fed around the fingers, the fingers are retracted and the slack in the tape is taken up by a long arm and the band is snugly wrapped around the package or stack regardless of the size of the package or stack, and the tape is then heat sealed. The tape isfed aroundthe fingers by means of a driven chain having a clamp which grips the leadingendof the tape. After the band'is sealed and before the tape is severed; the free end of the tape supply is gripped by the tape. feeder so that the free end. of the tape supply can be automatically fed.- into the clamp for another cycle.

Accordingly, a principal object of the invention is to provide new and improved banding means.

Another object of the invention isto provide new and improved high speed banding means.

Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved high speed banding means for packages or stacks of sheets or envelopes of variable size.

Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved high speed. banding means having four retractable fingers mounted. on the frame of the banding station so that the tape can be wrapped around the fingers while the package is being inserted in the: banding station and means to retract thefirigers and take up the slack in the tape. Y

Another object of the invention is to providenew and improved banding means wherein the package may be inserted while the tape is being fed'around. the banding station so that the normal time cycle is cut substantially in half.

Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved means in abanding machine of the typefeeding a band around at least one article in a banding station, a plurality of fingers pivotally mounted on said banding station means, said fingers being spaced so that a band drawn around said fingers will encircle said article, means to feed said band over said fingers, means to retract said fingers after said bandis fed completely around and over-said fingers and encircles said banding station, and means to retract said band snugly around said article in said banding station, whereby an article may be inserted into said banding station at the same time said band is being fed. around said fingers.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following specification and drawings, of which:

FIGS. 1AIE show diagrams illustrating the method of operation.

FIG. 2 is a front view of'an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlargedi side view of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3A is a detail view.

FIG. 4' is an enlarged partial front view.

FIG. 4A is a plan view of the stop mechanism.

FIGS. Sand 51% are rear and side detail views of the clamp member.

FIGS. 6, 6A and 6B are top, front", and side views, respectively, of the sliding tape feeder.

FIG. 7" is a cross-sectional view of the chain drive clutch.

FIGS. S'A-SH are detail views of the cams and linkages.

FIG. 9" is w timing diagram showing the developed shapes of the cams.

FIG. 10 is a: schematic circuit diagram.

Referring tothe drawings, FIGS. l A-lE illustrate the method of operation. FIG. 1A represents the starting position. The stack or package P is placed on a fixed locating platform and extends through the chain 1 which encircles it. A tape clamp 13* is mounted on the chain 1' and 'the tape T is' fed from. the reel'3 around the guide roller 4 which is mounted on a long pivotally mounted arm 5. Four, retractable fingers6, 7, 8, 9 are pivotally mounted on the frame. The fingers are mounted so that as the chain clamp 16 travels around the package, the tape is formed around. the fingers, the fingers being in. extended position. The package can be inserted while the tape is being fedaround the fingers. The fingers are pivotally mounted so that they can be retracted out of the tape path so that the tape can be tightened up around the stack or package P. The stack P may be a stack of papers or envelopes, or a bundle of'boxes. FIG. 1B shows a side view of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C shows the operation after the chain mounted clamp has travelled one turn crossing the tape T to be wrapped around. the fingers 6, 7,v 8 and 9. The tape passes through the slidable tape feeder 14 which is adapted to hold the free end of the tape supply and feed it to the clamp.

FIG. 1B shows the next stage with the fingers retracted and the arm 5 swung to the right to take up the slack in the tape T to cause the tape to be snugly wrapped around the package or stack P.

It also shows the tape band about to be sealed by the heater 12. The free end of the tape is then gripped by the pawl 14c on the feeder slide 14 and the tape is severedby the knife 11.

Thereafter (FIG. 1E), when the package is removed, the feeder slide l4-feeds the free end of the tape T supply into the clamp 13 and the apparatus starts a new cycle.

Since a packagemay be inserted during the operation of wrapping the tape with the fingers, the average forming cycle is reduced by approximately one half. In other words, it is not necessary to insert the package before starting the cycle, so that the forming of the tape around the fingers, which is a substantial. part of the cycle, and the inserting of the package may be done at the same time.

FIG. 2 shows a front view, and FIG. 3 shows an enlarged' side view. The chain 1 is mounted on a track 38 which encloses the package P area. The retractable fingers 6, 7, 8', 9 are mounted on the frame and actuated by a cam, aswill be explained. The tape T is fed from the reel 3 around the guide roller 4 and into the sliding tape feeder 14, which is guided by a conical barrel cam 14a.

All of the motions are controlled by cams mounted on the cam shaft 40 which actuate rocket arms mounted on rocker arm shafts 41, 42. The cam shaft 40 is driven by a clutch which comprises an arm 43 fixedly mounted to the cam shaft 40. A claw 44 is pivotally mounted on the arm 43 and is adapted to engage a toothed wheel 45 which is continuously driven by the motor 46. The claw 44 is controlled by an upper latch 47 and a lower latch 48. The upper latch is controlled by a solenoid 47 and the lower latch by a solenoid 48'.

The cam shaft carries a number of cams, which are as follows:

Snub roller cam 50 Dancer arm cam a Finger cam 5l Heater cam I211 Clamp cam l3a Chain stop cam 52 Knife cam I la FIGS. 8A-8H show the cam linkages.

The chain drive is engaged by-a clutch 53, as will be explained. The chain is adapted to be stopped by means of a stop mechanism 54, which is actuated by the cam 52. The chain clutch S3 is adapted to be driven by the motor 55 by belt 58. Snubbing rollers 56 and 57 are provided to tightly wrap the tape around the package. Snubbing roller 57 is driven by belt 57' on motor 55. Snubbing roller 56 is mounted on arm 56' which is controlled by cam 50.

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged side view of FIG. 2, partially in section. The cam shaft 40 is driven by the arm '43 which is fixedly connected thereto. The arm 43 mounts the claw 44 which is adapted to engage the toothed wheel 45, which is continuously driven by the motor 46, FIG. 2, through the gear box 46'. There is a roller 60 on the claw 44 which is adapted to ride up on the inclined surface 61 so as to disengage the claw from the toothed wheel when the roller 60 reaches the point 60', where it is latched out of engagement by the latch 47, 47a, which is adapted to be released by the upper solenoid 47. i

More specifically referring to FIG. 3A, latch 47 has a notch 47b. Spring leaf ramp 61 is mounted on latch arm 47a, which has a pin 47d, which is adapted to engage the notch 47b.

Roller 60 rides up ram 61 and is engaged in fixed notch 60a. Ramp 61 is held fixed by latch arms 47 and 47a which at that time are latched and held together by return spring 59.

The roller in position in 60 lodges in fixed notch 60a holding the claw 44, out of engagement with toothed wheel 45. Spring leaf roller is deflected by roller 60 thereby retaining roller 60 in notch 60a.

To restart the cycle, solenoid 47' pulls back on arm 47 thereby withdrawing the notch 47b from pin 47d and releasing the ramp arm 61 and stretching the return spring 59.

Roller 60 then drops out of notch 60a allowing claw 44 to engage toothed wheel 45. After the solenoid releases the return spring 59 draws ramp arm back until notch 47b engages pin 47d.

A similar operation takes place at the bottom of the toothed wheel 45, namely, the roller 60 of the claw rides up on the inclined surface 31 until the roller 60 is latched by the latch 48 out of engagement with the toothed wheel. The latch 48 is adapted to be released by the solenoid 48.

Therefore, it is seen that there are two half cycles of operation, one of which is initiated by the upper solenoid 47', and the other which is initiated by the lower solenoid 48, as will be explained. The toothed wheel is continuously driven.

The chain 1 rides on the track 38 and is driven by the sprocket 63 which, in turn, is driven by the clutch 53, which is adapted to be disconnected by stop mechanism 54, as will be explained.

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged detail front view, and FIG. 4A shows a top view of the stop member 54.

Referring to FIG. 4, the chain is adapted to be stopped by means of the stop mechanism 54 which not only provides a positive indexing stop for the chain and clamp, but also disengages the clutch 53. Stop member 54 is actuated by the cam 52 which positions it in the path of the clamp 13. The linkage member 72 is connected to the rocker arm 72 which rides on the cam 52.

FIG. 4A shows the stop member in position to stop the clamp. The blade 70 of the stop member is pivotally mounted to the frame by the pin 71 so as to stop the clamp in the indexing position shown whereby the clamp 13 is adapted to receive the free end of the tape T from the tape feeder 14. Bell crank 89 is pivotally mounted on the blade 70 by pin 69a and carries a roller 69 which operates to disengage the chain drive clutch 53. When the clamp hits the blade 70, bell crank 69 rotates and the clutch 53 is disengaged so that the chain is no longer driven. The clutch is normally spring loaded in engaged position by spring 53.

FIG. 4 also shows the knife 11, which is adapted to cut the tape after theband has been sealed by the heater 12. The heater is controlled by the cam 12a mechanism, and the knife is controlled by the cam 11a mechanism.

FIG. 3 also shows the mounting of the fingers 6 and 7. The finger 6 is pivotally mounted to the frame at the point 6', and the finger 7 is pivotally mounted to the frame at the point 7. The-two fingers are connected by the rigid cross member 66, which is pivotally connected to the fingers at either end. The upper pivot 7a is connected by member 68 to move vertically and is operatively connected to the rocker arm 51awhich rides on cam 51. Therefore, when the cam raises the member 68, the fingers 6 and 7 are rotated to retracted position, as shown by the dotted arrows. A similar arrangement is provided for the other fingers 8 and 9 which are connected by cross member 10.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 4A, the stop mechanism 54 comprises a blade 70 which is pivotally mounted to the frame by the pin 71 and which is adapted to be actuated by means of the linkage member 72, which is connected to the rocker arm of cam 52. The blade 70 is adapted to be projected into the path of the clamp 13 and stop it in indexed position. When the clamp hits the stop 70, the chain drive clutch 53 is disengaged by means of bell crank 69.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 5A showing rear and side views of the tape clamp 13, the clamp is connected to the chain by means of the mounting holes, 75, 76 and the roller 77 rides on the inside of the track member 38. Member13 has an extending portion 13' and a rotatably mounted portion 78, which is connected to the arm 79. The arm 79 is normally held in closed or clamped position by means of the spring 80-and this holds the tape between the member 3 and 78. The clamp is opened by raising the arm 79 to the position shown by the dotted line 79. The arm 79 is raised by the member 13b which is operated by the clamp cam 13a.

FIGS. 6, 6A and 6B show top, front, and side views of the sliding tape feeder 14. The tape T is held on the guide 82 by means of the guide finger 83 and the tape is clamped in the slider by means of the pawl 84, which is spring loaded by the spring 84. The slide member 14' is slidably mounted on the support member 14b and the slide is moved by means of the roller 140. The roller rides on the conical barrel cam 14a. The slide member is spring loaded by means of the spring 85 in the direction of feeding the tape.

FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the chain drive clutch. The chain 1 is connected to be driven by the sprocket 63 which is rotatably mounted in the base 87. The pulley 88 is adapted to move axially to cause engagement between the toothed clutch plates 89 and 90. The pulley is belt-driven by a belt 91 which is connected to the motor 55 which is continuously running. The clutch connection is made by operation of the stop member 54 which disengages the clutch when it stops the clamp in indexed position by means of bell crank 69 and roller 69'.

Referring to FIGS. 8A-8I-I, FIG. 8A shows the conical barrel cam 14a. FIG. 8A1 shows a sectional view of the cam. This cam operates the sliding tape feeder 14. FIG. 2. The roller 14b rides on the conical barrel surface of cam 14a. The slider assembly 14 is spring loaded against the cam.

FIG. 8B shows the clamp cam 13a and its linkage, which comprises a rocker'arm 13b mounted on the rocker shaft 42. The other end of the rocker arm 13b is connected to a linkage member 130, which moves vertically until it hits the clamp arm 79, which releases the clamp. The member 130 also carries the contact assembly which contains the sensing contact 20. This contact senses whether there is tape in the clamp. When the sealed tape is removed from the clamp by removing the package,'a circuit is completed between the contacts and 21, which initiates the cycle at time 0", as discussed in connection with FIG. 9.

FIG. 8C'shows the heater cam 12a which operates the heater 12 by means of the linkage comprising the rocker arm 12b mounted on the rocker shaft 42. On the other end of the rocker arm 21b is mounted a linkage member 12c which moves vertically and causes the heater 12 to come in contact with the overlapping tape, hold the tape in place, and seal the band.

FIG. 8D shows the knife cam 11a which operates the knife 11. To cut the tape after the band has been sealed, the knife is operated by means of the linkage comprising rocker arm 11b, which is mounted on the rocker shaft 42. The other end of rocker 11b is connected to a linkage member 110, which moves vertically and rotates the knife 11, which is pivotally mounted to the frame member 11d. The member lld supports an upper blade under which the tape passes.

FIG. 8E shows the chain stop cam 52 which operates the stop member 54. This linkage comprisesa rocker arm 52a, which is mounted on the rocker shaft 41. The other end of the rocker arm 52a is connected to a linkage member 72 at one end. The other end of the member 72 is' connected to the blade 70 of the stop mecha- 1 nism 54. When the member 72 moves to the right in FIG. 8E, the stop plate 70 is positioned in the path of the clamp 13 so as to stop it in the index position.

FIG. 8F shows the retractable finger operating cam 51. This linkage comprises a rocker arm 51a mounted on the rocker shaft 41. The other end of rocker arm 51a is connected to the member 51b, which is pivotally connected at its other end to the linkage member 68 which is connected to operate the retractable fingers shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 8G shows the cam 5a, which is adapted to operate the dancer arm 5, FIG. 2. This linkage comprises rocker arm 5b which is mounted on the rocker shaft 41 at one end. The other end of rocker arm 5b is connected to a cable which passes over a rollerSd and then over another guide roller 5e, FIG. 2, and it is then connected to rotate the arm 5. Referring to FIG. 2, the arm 5 is rotated counter clockwise'in order to keep up the slack in the tape, and draw enough tape from the reel for the next banding cycle. I

FIG. 8H shows the cam 50 which operates the snubbing roller mechanism. Referring to FIG. 2, the fixed position snubbing roller 57 is driven by the motor by means of the belt 57a. The movable snubbing roller 56 is mounted on an arm 56 which is pivotally mounted on a frame member. The other end of arm 56 is connected to the linkage member 50b, which moves vertically. The other end of the linkage member 50b is connected to a rocker arm 500, which is mounted on the rocker shaft 41.

OPERATION Referring to the developed cam diagram, FIG. 9, and the schematic circuit, FIG. 10, the operation is as follows: I

At 0 time, the operation is started by removing a preceeding package. As the package is removed, the tape slips from underneath the clamp and a circuit is made between contacts 20 and 21 by the clamp 13 plate. Contact 20 is a permanent ground connection. This energizes the relay 22 which, in turn, energizes the top solenoid 47. This opens the latch 47, causing the clutch claw 44 to engage the large gear 45, which is fixedly mounted to the cam shaft. This starts the cams turning. The tape is fed and clamped from 0 to 0.5 seconds. Thereafter, the chain carn releases the chain stop and the chain travels from about 0.5 seconds to about l.8 seconds until the chain is again stopped by the stop The cam shaft is stopped at 2.0 seconds when the claw rides up on the lower latch guide 31, which disengages the claw from the cam shaft gear, and latches the claw in the lower latch 48. During this time, while the tape is being fed around the fingers, a new package is inserted. The foot switch 35, or an equivalent handoperated switch, is then closed, completing a circuit through the clutch safety switch 36, and energizing the lower solenoid 48, which trips the lower latch so that the claw re-engages the cam shaft gear, causing the cam shaft to rotate from 2.0 seconds to 4.0 seconds. The clutch safety switch is closed when chain drive clutch 53 is disengaged.

During this period the fingers are retracted first. Then the dancer take-up arm springs to the right to take up the slack in the tape. The dancer then continues to move to the right, drawing tape from the reel for the next loading cycle. At about 2.3 seconds, the snub roller is actuated by its cam and then the heater is energized by its cam to seal the band. The sealing is complete by about 3.2 seconds and then cools from 3.2 seconds to about 3.9 seconds. The heater is of the type which has a heating element which rises between holding sides so that the tape is first clamped, then the heater comes in contact with the tape from about 2.8 seconds to 3.2 seconds. The heater is preferably of the type having a heating element and two extending spring loaded sides. The heater is then retracted and the heater holding sides of the heater hold the tape in position for cooling from about 3.2 to about 3.9 seconds, when the heater assembly is released. The tape is cut by the knife at about 3.9 seconds and the clamp 13 starts to open immediately thereafter.

The cam shaft is stopped by the claw riding up on the upper latch guide assembly, which causes the claw to be latched by the upper latch, and ready for a new cycle when the package is removed.

The chain 1 and clamp 13 are stopped in index position by stop mechanism 65 which also disengages the chain drive clutch 53.

For start-up, the power is off. Tape is manually inserted through the tape slide with the dog open, and down around the tape clamp. The machine is then started and automatically cuts and grips the tape, inserts the free end of the tape clamp, and winds it around the fingers, in preparation for the next band.

We claim 1. In a banding machine of the type feeding a band around at least one article in a banding frame,

a plurality of fingers pivotally mounted on said banding frame, said fingers being spaced so that a band drawn around said fingers will encircle said article,

means to feed said band over said fingers,

means to retract said fingers after said band is fed completely around and over said fingers and encircles said banding station,

and means to retract said band snugly around said article in said banding frame,

whereby an article may be manually inserted into said banding frame at the same time said band is being fed around said fingers.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said band feeding means comprises a driven chain mounted so as to encircle said banding station.

3. Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said means to retract said band comprises a long arm having sufficient travel to take up all slack in said band when said band is released by retracting said fingers.

4. Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said finger retracting means comprises a plurality of members mounted on the frame of said machine, said members being cam operated. v

5. Apparatus as in claim 4 having means to seal said band around said article, and means connected to sever said tape from the feed'roll of said band.

6. Apparatus as in claim 5 having a clamp mounted on said chain and means to feed the end of said band into engagement with said clamp.

7. Apparatus as in claim 6 having a cam shaft mounted on said frame, a plurality of cams mounted on said cam shaft,

a motor driven gear mounted on said frame,

an arm fixedly mounted on said cam shaft,

a claw mounted on said arm, saidclaw being adapted to engage said gear,

means to latch and release said claw to disconnect and connect said claw to said gear to thereby drive said cam shaft.

8. Apparatus as in Claim 7 having first and second latches for said claw,

first and second solenoids connected to operate said first and second latches,

first switch means operated by said band to operate said first solenoid when a package is removed from said clamp and manually operated switch means connected to operated said second solenoid.

9. Apparatus as in claim 8 wherein the means to operate said first solenoid comprises a contact adapted to bear against a plate of said clamp, said contact being insulated from said clamp plate when said tape is under said plate clamp, whereby when a package is removed from said clamp, a circuit is made through said contact to operate said first solenoid.

10. Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said long arm is positively driven to draw sufficent additional tape from the supply reel to form the next successive band.

11. Apparatus as in claim 1 having means to actuate new band tape on removal of a first package so band is being made immediately. 

1. In a banding machine of the type feeding a band around at least one article in a banding frame, a plurality of fingers pivotally mounted on said banding frame, said fingers being spaced so that a band drawn around said fingers will encircle said article, means to feed said band over said fingers, means to retract said fingers after said band is fed completely around and over said fingers and encircles said banding station, and means to retract said band snugly around said article in said banding frame, whereby an article may be manually inserted into said banding frame at the same time said band is being fed around said fingers.
 2. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said band feeding means comprises a driven chain mounted so as to encircle said banding station.
 3. Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said means to retract said band comprises a long arm having sufficient travel to take up all slack in said band when said band iS released by retracting said fingers.
 4. Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said finger retracting means comprises a plurality of members mounted on the frame of said machine, said members being cam operated.
 5. Apparatus as in claim 4 having means to seal said band around said article, and means connected to sever said tape from the feed roll of said band.
 6. Apparatus as in claim 5 having a clamp mounted on said chain and means to feed the end of said band into engagement with said clamp.
 7. Apparatus as in claim 6 having a cam shaft mounted on said frame, a plurality of cams mounted on said cam shaft, a motor driven gear mounted on said frame, an arm fixedly mounted on said cam shaft, a claw mounted on said arm, said claw being adapted to engage said gear, means to latch and release said claw to disconnect and connect said claw to said gear to thereby drive said cam shaft.
 8. Apparatus as in Claim 7 having first and second latches for said claw, first and second solenoids connected to operate said first and second latches, first switch means operated by said band to operate said first solenoid when a package is removed from said clamp and manually operated switch means connected to operated said second solenoid.
 9. Apparatus as in claim 8 wherein the means to operate said first solenoid comprises a contact adapted to bear against a plate of said clamp, said contact being insulated from said clamp plate when said tape is under said plate clamp, whereby when a package is removed from said clamp, a circuit is made through said contact to operate said first solenoid.
 10. Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said long arm is positively driven to draw sufficent additional tape from the supply reel to form the next successive band.
 11. Apparatus as in claim 1 having means to actuate new band tape on removal of a first package so band is being made immediately. 